New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-31
SUICIDE OF T. G. REYNOLDS.
HIS MIND DIsORDERED BY ILLNESS.
LEAVING LETTER DESCRIBING HIS FEARS OF AP.
PREACHING INsANITY-AN EvENTFUL
PUBLIC CAREER.

PUBLIC CAREER
lBY TELEGRAPH rRrDuyEl
ST. LOUIS, March .-Ex-Lieutenant- Governor
Thomas c. Reynolds was killed to-day by falling
down the elevator shaft Of the Government build
ing. Registry Clerk C0mstock, of the st. Louis
Post Office, witnessed the tragic and fatal plunge
and his statement at established beyond
doubt the fact that the iall was not accidental.
Mr.. Reynolds was known to nearly all ST. Louis
and Missouri people, had occupied positions
of local, State and National trust and promi-
nence and was universally respected and
the news of his suicide was a shock to
the community. 1t Is thought that
no was partially demented. He was seen five min
utes before the tragedy the United States court
room and conversed with Clerk Seby. Then he
was seen to approach the freight elevator shaft,
open the small gate that leads from the corridor
aud disappear He took of his overcoat, shoes and
hat, and plunged eighty feet down the shaft. The
search by the brought to light the follow
ing letters
asth March. 1887
long sonIn q Vera sr1z sspOssS myself to might s .% iS
sssdestea sSs i1s snSe change % Of sSd
seeming be in almost robust health troubled With
treating XSo2t days ago however discovered hatf
y ns@ na sS HSa' remained clear strong although
was naturally frettg over business a1noyansss ana
about $4,000 productive and unmpaired Blu. within the
a 5
e.. ny pS has w. G @ s awake q
spirits OF deceased relatives and friends urging
%s y ss as s Il @ wGs@ s
sR Of my Sr sen s viii
barsn with her fragile Constitution and my limited
' 1i % s
Iansitoy partial aemen They were kept ny
npss sn S as me- especially Within he las. two days have
feared similar attack but much more violent am now now
Should do thing my feel assured that
w"s 70 the
BILE Judgment solicit for excellent and devoted wife
be- disposed Of q. directed IN my viii THOMAS
Thomas C. REYNOLDS was born in Charleston. 8.
c. October IL, 1921, but removed while q young
man to Virginia, where he studied ut the Uniyer-
sity and afterward went TO Germany to complete
his education. In 1912 he was graduated In law
next winter pursued literary course assthe UNI
verslty of Paris. Returning to Virginia he was
admitted to the bar IN 1874. he was secretary OF
the United States legation in Spain from Is48 to
1S4S. On returning to America in 1880 he settledln
ST. LOUIS. From 1858 to 1857 he was United
States District-AttOrney for this district In 1850
lie was elected Lieutenant-G Governor of Missouri,
and in the Civil War sided with the Confcderacy.
At the close of the war he went to Mexico, where
he stayed till 1863 being very intimate With
peror MaxlmIlIau. Since 1868 he has practised
law in this city. In 1874 he was elected State
Representative.
some years ago to visit South American countries
in the interest of commerce with the United
States. When the present Administration
came in he an applicant for
the Mexican mission. He was IN Washington
good portion of the winter of 1eS3's6, running
over from Baltimore where he living with rel
atives. Toward the end OF the winter ne gave up
all hope of preferment. When in Washington he
spent most of his time in the lobby of Wizards
HOTEL taking little interest apparently in the AZ
fairs of the capital. go
In 1854 Mr. Reynolds fought duel with y.
Gratz Brown. The trouble between the two meu
grew out of politics Reynolds was National
Democrat and Brown Benton Demoera. Out OF
the warm political discussion IN which both men
participated prominently, there sprung a, tued
which eliminated in the duel. 1t was fought on
the east side OF the river opposite CarOndelet. Both
men fred when the word was given aud the bullet
from Reynolds's revolver struck Brown III the ieft
knee Reynolds was unhurt Brown was laid up
for only short time, but never recovered from the
lameness due TO the wound Reynolds was dead
shot, and 1t was said, dld not aim to Kill Brown,
but to MAIN him. - >.
Mr. REYNOLDS was married twice. His first wife was
burned to death several years ago IN u hire caused
by the explosion of lamp. He married his second
wife three years ago. Sne Is now staying at tho
Southern HOTEL